The Walt Disney Co (NYSE: DIS) Marvel movie Black Panther opened with a bang globally, sucking in a huge $169 million from approximately 70 percent of the global markets. The worldwide total until February 18 was $361 million. Among the countries, South Korea gave the most to the film, contributing about $25.3 million. The figures represent among Western movies the fifth biggest launch. It was way ahead of Thor: Ragnarok and Dr. Strange. It has already crossed past the gains of Ant-Man and Guardians of the Galaxy.

The film did spectacularly well in the Netherlands. It made the highest gross sales for any superhero film. Black Panther also made the record of best gross February first week sales. It zoomed to the top in all markets with a few exceptions. Those were Slovenia, Austria, Serbia, Germany, Hungary, Italy, and Poland.

In the United Kingdom and Ireland, Black Panther roped in $24.8 million. It made the second highest opening for any Marvel film, behind only the Avengers: Age of Ultron. The takings are already more than the combined sum of Iron Man, Justice League, and Captain America. The record of highest ticket sales during the February first week was broken. The third biggest market was Mexico, making $9.6 million. Brazil closely followed suit, with $9.4 million. Australia provided $9.2 million. France and Indonesia were $7.7 million and $6.5 million respectively. Germany gave $6.2 million.

Africa delivered spectacular returns for the film. Black Panther made the highest opening weekend in the history of West Africa and also East Africa. It smashed all box office records in South Africa. When it comes to Asia, the movie has broken box office collections of the complete series of the Guardians of the Galaxy films in Thailand, The Philippines, India, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Malaysia, and Korea. The film did exceedingly well in South American countries as well. All-time opening highs were made in Mexico, Paraguay, Brazil, Bolivia, Ecuador, and Colombia.

The Japanese will be able to view the movie from March 1, and the Chinese viewers, from March 9. In 2018, the film marked the second highest global opening after “Fifty Shades Freed”. The latter sucked in $981 million from 57 markets during the first February weekend. Another film, Monster Hunt 2 by Raman Hui, clocked a healthy $190 million to ride the box office in China during the initial three days of Chinese holidays.